Freebie Feelers... Trackmania Turbo

Freebie Feelers is a series where we download the free monthly console-specific or newly released free-to-play games to test their worth. This series will contain some useful information as well as plenty of personal opinion. While these articles may not be reviews, we hope that you will be able to use them to help decide whether that free download is worth it.

What is it?

Trackmania Turbo has you completing quick fire race tracks in a time-trial style to come out with the quickest time you can to gain a medal from bronze, silver or gold. It sounds easy on the surface, but as you progress through the game, the tracks become more windy, and start throwing stunts and obstacles in your way that you must navigate through cleanly in order to gain those ever elusive gold medals.

What did you think?

It's equal parts great fun mixed with equal parts frustrating - but in a good way. You'll spend a lot of your time restarting the same track over and over to get a better time, only to completely stuff up the same jump multiple times in a row. Getting the bronze medals to continue through the game isn't too bad, but the real meat is getting the golds. That's where the fun really lies, if you want the most challenge out of this game.

Is it worth downloading?

I've played through the entire Trackmania series now - and Turbo is an entry worthy of joining your list. Even if you don't want to go for the gold medals, it's still a whole lot of fun to play split-screen with friends. There's a track editor, so you can make tracks that you know how to complete, but your friends don't, and a "Two-players one car" mode, that will really test the bounds of your friendship.

Trackmania Turbo is available on Xbox Games with Gold throughout November, from the 1st till the 30th.